fork brace removal

[StooL]

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm going to take my fork brace off to clean it up and I'm pretty sure I've read a thread in the past that explained the procedure of how to remove the forks. I've searched for it but can't find it. Any help will be much appreciated. Even if I just imagined the thread, if someone can give a quick rundown on what is required and if i need any special tools, that would be ideal.

Cheers.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Save yourself a weekend, soft wire brush off the loose flakes of paint then just cover the bare bits in a thin layer grease and carry on riding

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

workshop wisdom

You should find everything you need on that lovely workshop manual cd that I gave you.

Don't tell me you've lost it already.

How's your pistons holding up?

I have added a Techlusion 259 to mine after seeing yours, it seems to do what it says on the packet.
Runs smoother with better pick up and stronger mid range.

kr

 

[StooL]

Hi Kenny, I've got the manual but haven't looked at it yet. I had it in my mind that I'd read a thread about fork removal in the past, guess I'll give the manual a read over tonight. I'm just not sure how the wishbone thingy is attached to the ball jointy bit on the fork brace..... , my technical knowledge is astounding!! Getting it into bits is no problem, it's the putting it back together again that may prove tricky!

My pistons are holding up fine. The bikes done 40k now, 19k trouble free miles since going back to standard cat and can!

Lukate, I would just leave it, I've ridden it for 30k looking like something that's spent ten years in the sea but I'm contemplating selling the bike. Potential buyers may believe that these machines are well built and frown upon a corroded fork brace!

 

[simondippenhall]

I am planning to remove the fork legs on my 03 1150 GS this weekend (as I need to get them straightened after an off-road mishap).

Have read thru the manual which describes (section 31.6) heating the leading link mount to some horrendous temperature and unscrewing it.
However when I quizzed the SPC mechanic he told me that all that is needed is:

1 remove wheels , ABS etc (having ensured the bike is weighted at back so it won't fall forward)
2 put the spindle back in place
3. disconnect (unbolt) the tops of fork legs from the upper fork bridge
4. undo the 4 bolts in the lower bridge which secure the legs and wedge the lower bridge open with a wooden wedge
5. the fork legs should drop down nice and easy (does this mean the bike has to be eleveated to leave room for this?)
6 Get them straightened

ie no need to disconnect the lower bridge from the leading link joint. And reinstallation is broadly the reverse process

Before I commit mechanical suicide, please would a more mechanically minded GSer who has done this let me know
-whether it works OK in practice?
-are there any tricks to easing open the lower bridge so the fork legs drop out?
-anything else to watch for?

Thanks

 

[Steptoe]

I am planning to remove the fork legs on my 03 1150 GS this weekend (as I need to get them straightened after an off-road mishap).

Before I commit mechanical suicide, please would a more mechanically minded GSer who has done this let me know
-whether it works OK in practice?
-are there any tricks to easing open the lower bridge so the fork legs drop out?
-anything else to watch for?

Thanks

remove the top nuts on the fork legs ( under the plasctic covers on the top yolk), turn the top yolk out of the way. Then pull the fork tubes up and out. Mind the oil that will drip off the legs

No need to undo the fork brace, wheel spindle etc etc

 

[simondippenhall]

Thanks Steptoe. Maybe I am using the wrong names, but will that method not leave me with the telescopic fork legs still held in place by the lower fork bridge (brace?) (and the wheel etc)? I think each fork leg will need to be straightened.

Thanks for educating the ignorant!

 

[andy malton]

brace

I rubbed mine down and sprayed it where it is,why take it off only took a couple of hours,longest job was masking everything up, jobs a goodun

 

[simondippenhall]

Andy...if only my query were about cosmetics...unfortunately it's because telescopic fork legs need straightening! :}

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks Steptoe. Maybe I am using the wrong names, but will that method not leave me with the telescopic fork legs still held in place by the lower fork bridge (brace?) (and the wheel etc)? I think each fork leg will need to be straightened.

Thanks for educating the ignorant!

No - the fork legs ( shiney chrome parts ) pull out of the sliders.

The sliders stay in the fork brace, with the wheel/spindel attached to the bottom of the sliders

 

[phill-b]

Not a big job, takes about 1/2 hr. As per previous replies, remove front wheel and abs sensor (watch you dont lose the shims. Undo brake lines from bottom yoke and take front mudguard off (torx screws are underneath it. Then take the black plastic caps out of the top yoke. Place a spanner on the top of the fork underneath the yoke and a socket on top and undo. Take the black cap off the fastener on the leading link. Hold centre of link with correct allen / torx bit (cant remember which) and take a f**kin' big spanner to the nut and undo. Takes a bit of patience as it is covered in threadlock. Give it a light tap and the whole assembly will come off. Watch the fork stanchions dont come out as you will lose some oil. Lastly, undo the pinch bolts from the boyyom yoke and slide off the top of the fork legs. You will have to remove the dust caps from the top of the legs.

Paint

Refit in reverse.

Have a beer and tell yourself how good you are!!

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I keep looking at mine, I even have silver hammerite ready on the shelf, not sure if there is some psychological barrier here......

 

[carbold]

I keep looking at mine, I even have silver hammerite ready on the shelf, not sure if there is some psychological barrier here......

Same here, I guess I'm waiting for the summer to start...but is it gonna start?

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Let's paint the fork braces and get it started!!